Meet Some Of Our Members

About

Laura started learning Electronic Keyboard at the age of 11, and then around 13 she started learning the Piano. Right from an early age, Laura has always loved anything to do with music and you’ll always find her with her nose in a music biography, a music history book, or being engrossed in a music film! After completing her music degree at Anglia Ruskin University in 2005, Laura started teaching at the age of 23 and since then has enjoyed inspiring and nurturing her students to take exams, perform or just play for fun. Laura always takes care to inspire and educate her pupils and believes in making her lessons fun and engaging.

About

I have been learning the piano from the age of 8, achieving grades 1 to 8 whilst at school. I am also an organist, and studied in London with Rosemary Field at St Stephen’s, Rochester Row, Westminster in London. After completing my BSc in Geology at the University of Liverpool, I returned to Swindon where I spent two years as Organist and Choirmaster at St Mark’s Church, Swindon.

In 2017, I began working as a primary school teacher in Swindon, following a 1-year PGCE at Bath Spa University. In 2024, I made the decision to leave the classroom and begin piano teaching. I aim to inspire all learners to achieve their goals on the piano, whether it’s working towards an exam or simply playing for enjoyment. As a qualified teacher with 7 years’ experience, I have a knowledge and understanding of how to adapt my teaching to learners of different ages and abilities, and those with special educational needs.

In addition to music, I enjoy bell ringing, running and cycling.

About

Tim has been a professional musician for the past 25 years, playing live shows and recording all over the world with a large number of international and UK artists. He has co written and produced two number one UK Soul Chart albums. He regularly plays at iconic London venues such as the Royal Festival Hall, Ronnie Scotts and The Jazz Cafe, plus some of the biggest Soul and Rock music festivals in the UK and Europe. He has taught guitar and bass for over 20 years, and has mentored numerous school bands.

Some of the artists Tim has worked with:

Archie Bell
Atlantic Starr
Change
Dexter Wansel
Gary Bartz
Gary Poole (The Voice)
Glenn Jones
Harold Melvins Blue Notes
Jean Carne
Junior Giscombe
Me’lissa Morgan
Norman Connors
Odyssey
Rachel Hylton (X Factor)
Santa Esmeralda (Kill Bill soundtrack)
The Jones Girls
Surface
The Manhattans

About

My name is Howard. I have an undergraduate degree in Professional Musicianship and a Master’s degree in Learning and Teaching, both from the British and Irish Institute of Modern Music (BIMM). Being in a band myself, I have a passion for providing students with the knowledge they need to create and to enjoy the instrument they have chosen to play.

About

I have over 20 years’ experience teaching piano and music theory to children. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree with a Teacher Qualification in Music Education in China, I became a music teacher in a secondary school before moving to the United Kingdom in 2008 where I began teaching students privately on a one-to-one basis. I am a passionate piano teacher who enjoys seeing her students grow and develop their music skills whilst simultaneously having fun enjoying the beauty of music.

About

Ellie Pretorian studied classical singing and musicology at the Royal College of Music in London, where she obtained a First Class Bachelor of Music Degree and a High Distinction Postagruate Degree. She further obtained a High Distinction Advanced Master in Operatic Performance and Voice from the National Opera Studio in London.

She began her career as a principal artist with Glyndebourne Opera, where she debuted in many complex and exciting operatic roles. She made her debut with the Royal Opera House Covent Garden in 2012 and has also performed as a principal with Garsington Opera and Longborough Opera Festival. Her singing took her to important concert venues in Europe and the United States. She performed with renowned Orchestras, such as the Philadelphia Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zurich and London Chamber Orchestras and the Orchestra of St.John’s, among others.

Since 2016, Ellie has focused on her teaching and is enthusiastically teaching students of all ages and technical levels. She is also experienced working with special educational needs children.

About

Details coming soon…

About

Details coming soon…

About

Richard began learning the piano at the age of seven, and studied at the Royal College of Music and London College of Music. He graduated in 1988, and five years later relocated to Taiwan, where he lived for 25 years, working as a piano and theory teacher and a performer.
Returning to England in 2018, he joined Swindon Music Co-operative the following year.
Apart from music, Richard is an avid traveller (visiting 102 countries to date) and a keen hiker, never happier than climbing mountains or visiting waterfalls both in the UK and abroad.

About

I began playing drums in 1998 at the age of 9 after an early diet of listening to some of the great rock drummers, who’s bands my Dad used to put on in the car. After my first drum lesson in the attic of my local music shop, I became totally obsessed with the instrument – an obsession that still continues to this day.

I have since studied drums at The Academy of Contemporary Music, Guildford (under renowned drum educators such as Paul Elliott, Pete Riley and Mike Sturgis) and The Academy of Music & Sound, completing my degree in Performance Industries in 2013 with First Class Honours.

Over the years my playing has been coloured by countless amazing drummers, some of my biggest influences being José Pasillas II (Incubus), Abe Cunningham (Deftones), Travis Barker (Blink 182), Josh Freese (A Perfect Circle, Nine Inch Nails, Sting) and Steve Judd (Karnivool).

Although my playing is firmly rooted within the Rock/Pop vein, I enjoy playing a multitude of different styles including Jazz/Fusion, Funk, Reggae, Latin and Progressive Rock/Metal.
My main outlet as a musician is my band All Ears Avow – a Pop/Rock band from the southwest. We have toured all over the UK and our music has allowed us to play some amazing places including O2 Academy Oxford, 2000 Trees Festival (Cheltenham), Underground Festival (Gloucester), Nottingham Rock City and Bath Komedia. We have also been lucky enough to share the stage with some awesome bands such as Mallory Knox, Decade, Slaves (US), Press to Meco and many more.

Our most recent record ‘Skin & Bones’ was released in December 2018 and received a 4K review in Kerrang! Magazine.
Before joining Swindon Music Cooperative, I taught for several years at The Academy of Music & Sound Swindon before its closure in July 2019. I frequently undertake various session work including function/covers bands, original acts, community music performances and music workshops. I also play drums in Swindon-based function band ‘Rogues’.

About

Harry is a professional musician with a passion for education, and has previously worked in a Special Educational Needs department, tutored students 1-1, and taught A Level Music Technology. Harry teaches guitar and bass to a wide range of students, taking a pupil-centred approach and tailoring resources to reflect the music tastes of the student, making sure there is always an enjoyable, fun aspect to every lesson.

Harry has been performing live for over 10 years on both guitar and bass, playing in a whole host of lineups over the years including; an indie-rock band, an acoustic trio, a blues-rock duo, a seriously funky hip-hop band, jazz ensembles, and leading a function band playing music from old soul classics to R&B and modern rap!

About

Lucy’s love for singing developed at a very young age, training with Janice Thompson since the age of 4 and obtaining up to Grade 8 with ABRSM and a DIP LCM in Classical Performance. Lucy completed up to Grade 8 in Music Theatre with LCM whilst also obtaining a DIP LCM in Music Theatre. Lucy has taken part in an array of shows and festivals, leading her to win the Junior Championship at the Swindon Music Festival in 2011.
In secondary school Lucy obtained an A in GCSE Music further gaining a B in Music A level. Lucy graduated from Bath Spa University in July 2017 after obtaining an Upper Second Class BA Music Degree.
While completing her degree, Lucy was provided with an array of opportunities that lead her to sing in venues such as Bath Abbey. Lucy’s experiences prior to starting her degree provided her with the knowledge and skills that ultimately allowed her to excel in being the Musical Director of Act 1 of ‘Urinetown’ in March 2017.
Lucy has been teaching in and around Swindon and enjoys teaching an array of students, both adults and young children. Lucy is the main school singing teacher at Swindon Stagecoach and Stagecoach Faringdon. As well as the Music Theatre teacher at The Gemma Short school of Dance & Performing arts.

About

Details coming soon…

About

Details coming soon…

About

Details coming soon…

About

Teaching all ages and from very beginners all the way to advanced/professional players.

Darren is a qualified guitar teacher and has a gained a formal certificate of teaching from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). He also has over 15 years of teaching experience and during this time has taught at the Musicians Institute London (MI), for the Music Industries association (MIA) in London, The Swindon Music Co-operative as well as various schools, colleges and privately in his own purpose built teaching studios. Darren also has also been fully CRB checked.

Uses a selection of recognised grading syllabuses and cover many styles from Classical, Blues, Jazz, Funk, Rock and Metal.

Darren continues to play all over the UK, and has over 25+ years of gigging and studio experience.

His very popular high energy shows are sure to have everyone singing and playing air guitar in no time.

Check here for more information: www.darrenhuntsolo.webs.com

About

I have been teaching for approximately 18 years on a part and full time basis (since I was 13 years old). I have gained a wealth of knowledge about teaching, music and mostly how people learn, simply through the 120+ students I have taught during this time.

I began learning the piano myself aged 7 with Paul Turner ARAM, GRSM (Hons), LRAM, ARCM and started singing lessons aged 8 with Janice Thompson MA LRAM ATCL. By 13 I had passed grades 5-8 piano with the ABRSM and consequently wanted to continue the subject as a (young) teacher. I continued learning and gained a BTEC National Diploma in Music Practice at Swindon College in 2006 and a BA (Hons) Music degree and Bath Spa University in 2010.

I am currently a Piano teacher with the Swindon Music Cooperative at Ridgeway Secondary and Sixth Form, Wroughton Juniors and Redoaks Juniors, Covingham Juniors, Ferndale Juniors, Holy Cross and Holy Family Juniors Schools and I am an Assistant Teacher and Accompanist with the Janice Thompson Performance Trust, a role I have held with the Trust for 10 years.

I am a very kind and encouraging teacher who concentrates on the individual students’ strengths in learning. For example some pupils might memorise whereas some may Sight-Read. Others like to listen for the correct sounds whereas others will concentrate on numbers rather than notes. Whatever way a person instinctively learns ‘music’, is never ‘wrong’ to me. I will however coach and nurture what comes naturally to a student to improve their skill of playing the piano.

About

My name is Tracey Absalom and I teach flute, recorder, piano and bass guitar. Piano was the first instrument I learnt to play at 6 years old and I then started the recorder in junior school. I took up the flute at 10 years old and joined Swindon Young Musicians. The group I really wanted to join at that age was the jazz band so when an opening came up for the bass guitar I started to learnt that and joined that band at 16. I then spent 10 years performing in a function band while I was working as a veterinary nurse until I started a family with my husband who I meet through SYM. My career path then changed and rather than having music as a hobby I realised that I wanted to inspire the next generation to enjoy music just as much as I do. I mainly gig on the bass guitar as a professional musician now, along side my teaching. I’ve played in the pit of many local shows as well as accompanying local choirs. My main musical passion at the moment is being a member of the all female Swindon group called the Swing Birds which has taken me back to my SYM jazz band days. I also help out with the RWBA swing band with their rhythm section. Music is such an important part of my life and I have many magical memories because of it.

About

Tracy is a Woodwind and Piano specialist with over 35 years experience as a teacher and performer.  In addition to her work with the SMC, Tracy also provides music workshops to Care Homes, runs the community choir ‘Generations of Sound’ and writes arrangements.

At the age of 15, Tracy won a scholarship to study the Clarinet with Colin Bradbury, who was then the Principal Clarinettist of the BBC Symphony Orchestra. She played many concertos with local orchestras and performed much of the Clarinet repertoire.

At 16, Tracy took up the Saxophone and Flute, playing in many local jazz groups and in the pit orchestras for shows both in Essex and in London.

She completed her L.T.C.L Teaching Diploma at 17 and then worked as a peripatetic teacher for Essex County Council for three years.  Continuing her education at the age of 21, Tracy attended the University of Surrey where she gained a Bachelor of Music degree.  This course also included a year’s study at the University of North Texas – an incredible experience involving top class jazz tuition and ten-gallon hats!

On leaving University, Tracy went to teach Music and Performing Arts A-level at her old sixth-form college in Essex.  Since then, Tracy has taught in the classroom – all ages from Nursery up to A-level – as well as peripatetic and private tuition.

As a performer, Tracy continues to play in shows and as a member of a function band where she plays Saxophone and Keyboards.  She is MD for a number of local theatre groups and does the occasional recital.

Tracy also runs ‘Generations of Sound’ – a community choir in Shrivenham – which performs twice a year with a 7-piece band.  She writes all the arrangements for the band and choir and has also written arrangements for cruise ship performers.

A personal note from Tracy…..

‘I am extremely lucky to be doing something that I love.  Music is hard work, particularly in the early stages of learning, but immensely enjoyable and I have been fortunate enough to play with some world class performers and in many different countries.  There is always something new and challenging to try.  I am passionate about all aspects of music and hope to inspire my pupils to the levels of enjoyment that I have experienced.’